le g-rand peirce



.No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I A. LBGRAND PEIROE.

MILITARY VELOCIPEDE.

No. 567,162,. Patented Sept. -8, 1896.

{No Model.) v 2 SheetsSheet 2.

A. LEGRAND PEIROE.

MILITARY VELOGIPEDE.

No; 567,162. Patented Sept. 8, 1896;

UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFI E.

ALMY LE GRAND PEIRCE, Oh PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR Ti TIIE U. S. CYCLE IMPROVEMENT COMPANY,

or SAME PLACE.

MILITARY vsLoclPsos.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 567,162, dated September 8, 1896.

Application filed October 18,1895. Serial No. 566,119. (Noniodehl In the accompanying drawin gs, which make part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation-of my improvement; Fig. 2, a rear view; Fig. 3, a front view; Fig. 4, a perspective of haversack; Fig. 5, abroken end view of same; Fig. 6, avertical section of cartridge- .ing knapsack magazines; Fig. 7, a side elevation of revolvopen; Fig. 8, an end View of same; Figs. 9, l0, and 11, detail views of a modification of cartridge-magazines.

This invention relates to a velocipede constructed for army use. It is built so as to utilize all the space required by a soldiers equipment on the march or in action. "he frame is light but strong and the 'wheel will stand rough usage. I prefer to drive the same by rods and gear-wheels, as the chain is liable to break or clog up on a long march and make the propulsion severe labor. I utilize also all my frame for various additional pur poses.

In the accompanying Vl6WS,-1-1 are the wheels, driven, preferably, 2 2, cranks 3 3, and suitable gears.

a is a small light knapsack placed upon auxiliary frame 5, at the front of the machine. 6 is the canteen, supported at the bottom of frame5. Frame 5 is detachable and can be used as a bracket in car p.

.The front tubing oil-reservoir.

(seen in Fig. 7) and folding wings I) Z), closing in the side. The knapsack-is pivoted on red 9, whose lower end rests in socket 10 on the frame and whose upper end is secured to tubing. 11- of frame. When the knapsack packed, it can be used as a barricade to fire over, and can be rotated at any desired angle when using the stationarygun or at other times. It is easily detachable.

by coupling-rods 7 may be utilized as an giving sleeve 21 a' lialf-turn the slot 8 is a knapsack having suitable frame a a bullets,

Side front forks 1212 can be utilized. as sheath for bayonet and dagger sword.

The top tubing 11 constitutes a gun-barrel, the front and back parts of the gun being braced or secured to the frame. This gun is preferably'pointcd rearward for the followingl easons: A soldier going into action would have no. time to brace the vclocipede, but by one hand on the handle-bar he can adjust the front wheel so as to place the gun in any position. This could not be done by placing the gun the other-way, and it is more convenient, for the soldier can readily reverse the velocipede or stack it sidewise. However, the gun may be pointed forward, if desired. This gun-barrelmay be rifled of any caliber desired, or it may be of large bore suitable for buekshot or a number of spherical lead or a light Gatling gun gould be mounted in the place of this barrel.

Swung from the frame below gun No. l is a second gun 13, pointing to the fron where it can be readily grasped asone dismounts.

11 is a haversack of aluminium or leather or like strong light material; It is best made in compartments 0 c and is detachable for use 7'5" in camp.

The rear tubings 15, 15 and 16 16 I utilize as magazines for cartridges, the cartridges being thrown up by spiral springs 17 17.

18 is a spring-cap, which'being openedper- 8o\ mits the cartridges to come out, and 19 a hand-slide, which prevents interference between the two rows of cartridges. In Figs. 9,10, and 1']. I show a modified magazine still made of the tubing, but wherein the cartridges come out at the side slot 20, which is normally covered by threaded sleeve 21. By 15 6X posed. Sleeve 21 is preferably made of some length, so as to stiffen the frame and compensate for the metal taken out in the slot.

Slot- 20 may be made at the bottom of the tubing, in which case no spring would be required, but the cartridges fall by gravity.

it will be obvious that the various compartments in my velocipede can be utilized 'very successfully for foraging, as their combined storage-space is very considerable.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a velocipede for army use, the combination of the top tube of the frame acting both as a member of the'frame and fashioned as a gun-barrel.

- 2. In a velocipede for army use, the com-.

bination of a frame-tube, acting both as a member of the frame and as a cartridge-magazine, being provided with a cartridge-delivery opening in the side; a siidin g sleeve normally closing said opening; a spring-"tfi'expel'the cartridges and a stop at the top of the magazine.

3. 111 a veloeipede t'or army use, the combination of a knapsack or baggage-carrier opening at its side and swung beneath the top tube of the frame and a vertical pivot-rod secured to the frame and passing through said knapsack on which the latter may be turned at any desired anglev In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhaud this 17th day of October, A. D. 1895.

...ALM Y GRAND PEIRGE.

"W itnesses:

WM. L. PIERCE, L. D. IAMS. 

